Make Christmas paw-fect for pets

EVERY Christmas it’s the same story for RSPCA shelters across the nation; there are too many unwanted pets and not enough resources to look after them all.

Volunteers at Gympie’s shelter say it’s sad to see huge volumes of animals dumped so people can have a worry-free holiday – or just because they can’t be bothered looking after them.

RSPCA volunteer Alex Byrne said people had the chance to make a difference and take part in the RSPCA’s annual and biggest Christmas appeal – by becoming a Guardian Angel for animals that are in desperate need.

The appeal is kind of like sponsoring an animal, which means the RSPCA can spend more money making them happy and healthy.

“It’s hard to look after them all every Christmas. It becomes personally hard. You want to take them all home and you can’t,” Ms Byrne said.

This Christmas a staggering 8300 animals will rely on the vital services of RSPCA Qld, stretching all nine shelters beyond capacity.

Each one of these animals will cost about $110 a week to care for, or just over $1.1 million in a three month period.

By making a donation to RSPCA Qld’s Guardian Angel Appeal, you can show an animal what it feels like to be loved at a time when they need and deserve it the most – Christmas.

“Everyone expects the RSPCA to be there. But unless we receive the crucial funding required to operate during the annual deluge of animals, our services will be severely compromised,” RSPCA Qld Spokesperson Anna Hartley said.

You can make donations at the Laurenson Road shelter towards the appeal; the shelter will also take donations of food, toys, treats and blankets.

And they are always looking for volunteers and foster carers for their younger animals.